M1 (make one stitch) = Lift running thread before next stitch onto left needle and knit into the back loop.

Ssk = Slip next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time to right needle; insert point of left needle into the fronts of these 2 sts and knit them together from this position.

HAT

With knitting needles and A, cast on 48(60) sts.

Work 6 rows in Garter st.

Next Row (inc): * K3, m1, k3; repeat from * across–56 (70) sts.

Begin with a p row, work even in St st until piece measures 4½ (6)" from beginning, end by working a wrong side row.

Shape Back:

Row 1: * K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end–48 (60) sts.

Row 2 and all wrong side rows: P even across.

Row 3: * K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end–40 (50) sts,.

Row 5: * K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end–32 (40) sts.

Row 7: * K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end–24 (30) sts.

Row 9: * K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end–16 (20) sts.

Row 11: * K2tog; repeat from * to end–8 (10) sts.

Cut yarn leaving long tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull tightly to secure. Sew back seam for 2 (2½)" down from crown. Remainder is left open and becomes the lower edge of hat where the strap is worked.

Strap

With A, cast on 12(20) sts, pick up and k21(27) sts across left side base of hat, pick up and k1 st in seam, pick up and k21(27) sts across right side base of hat, cast on 12(20) st–67(95) sts.

With smaller double pointed needles and A, cast on 24 (28) sts. Divide sts evenly among 3 needles, place marker for beginning of round and join, being careful not to twist sts. Work 8 (12) rounds in K1, p1 rib.

Hand

Change to larger double pointed needles and work 4 (6) rounds even in St st (k every round)

Shape Thumb

Round 1: M1, k2, m1, k around–26(30) sts.

Round 2: K even around.

Round 3: M1, k4, m1, k around–28 (32) sts.

Round 4: K even around.

Round 5: M1, k6, m1, k around–30 (34) sts.

Round 6: K even around.

Round 7: Cast on 2 sts, place next 8 sts on holder for thumb, k to end.

Work even on 24(28) sts until piece measures 4 (5)" from beginning.

Shape Top

For Size 12 mos only

Next Round: [K1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1] 2 times–24 sts.

Continue For all sizes

Next Round: [K1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1] 2 times–20 sts.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1] 2 times–16 sts.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1] 2 times–12 sts.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog, ssk, k1] 2 times–8 sts.

Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Thumb

K8 sts from holder, then k2 sts across cast on sts where hand joins above thumb–10 sts. Work even in St st for 1(1½)".